Throughout TELFest, we will be hearing about innovative teaching approaches at ANU, and how they can benefit student learning. Using new technologies offers many opportunities to help include students who might otherwise not be able to participate in higher education, but can be a barrier as well.
Flexibility in assessment or class times can help non-traditional students complete their studies, but can be a challenge for academics to deliver, especially in large classes. Studying online brings education to remote and regional areas and new communities, but requires access to broadband internet, expensive devices, and the digital skills to use them. Interactive videos can bring topics to life in new ways, but are often not accessible to staff or students who may have visual or hearing difficulties.
In this closing event, we invite TELFest participants to join us in a fishbowl discussion to consider how we can cultivate inclusive practices in how we use technology in our teaching at ANU, to best serve our diverse staff and student populations. A fishbowl is a type of panel where the members of the audience form the panel, with an empty seat always available for a new participant to join. This is a chance for you to contribute and share your experiences where technology has supported you– or been a barrier for you. We will discuss how to take advantage of the affordances of technology-enhanced learning while ensuring that it remains inclusive and accessible to all.
Participants in this session will include:
- Student representatives from ANUSA and PARSA
- Dzung Vo, Assistive Technology Officer, Access and Inclusion
- Dr Vivien Silvey, Learning Adviser, Academic Skills and Learning Centre
- Sam Provost, Mentoring and Outreach Officer, Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre
- Professor Peter Kanowski, Deputy Dean of HDR Students, Master of University House, and Professor of Forestry
- Dr Devin Bowles, Lecturer, Population Health, ANU Medical School
We hope you can join us on 5 November 2018 in the Hedley Bull Centre for this session. TELFest is free and open to all staff at ANU.